Wisconsin's most popular baby names in 1917

In the year 1917, the state of Wisconsin witnessed the arrival of many newborns who were given popular names of the time. The top baby girl names of the year were Dorothy, Mary, and Helen, while the top baby boy names were Robert, John, and William.

Dorothy, a name of Greek origin meaning "gift of God," was a popular choice for baby girls in Wisconsin in 1917. Mary, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "bitter," was also a common choice, as it has been for centuries. Helen, a name of Greek origin meaning "light," was another popular name for baby girls in the state. For baby boys, Robert, a name of German origin meaning "bright fame," was the most popular choice, followed by John, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious," and William, a name of Germanic origin meaning "resolute protector." These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Wisconsin in 1917

In 1917, the most popular baby girl names in Wisconsin were Dorothy, Mary, Helen, Ruth, and Margaret. Dorothy was the most popular name with 892 babies given that name. Mary was a close second with 838 babies named Mary. Helen, Ruth, and Margaret were also popular names with 773, 692, and 678 babies given those names respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures of the time.

Dorothy

892 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1917) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Mary

838 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1917) named Mary
Mary is a feminine given name that has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history. The meaning and origin of the name are uncertain, but it is believed to derive from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means "bitter" or "rebellious". The name Mary is popular in Christian cultures due to its association with the mother of Jesus Christ.
Helen

773 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1917) named Helen
Helen is a name of Greek origin and means "bright, shining one" or "torchbearer". It is also sometimes associated with the meaning "sunray" or "ray of light". The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Ruth

692 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1917) named Ruth
The name Ruth means "friend" or "companion" in Hebrew. It is also associated with the character Ruth in the Bible, who was known for her loyalty and devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi.
Margaret

678 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1917) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Evelyn
487 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1917) named Evelyn
The name Evelyn is of English origin and is derived from the French name Aveline, which means "hazelnut". It is also believed to have roots in the Germanic name Avelina, which means "wished-for child" or "longed-for child". Overall, the name Evelyn is associated with sweetness, charm, and grace.
Florence
417 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1917) named Florence
Florence is a name of Latin origin, meaning "flourishing" or "prosperous".
Irene
406 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1917) named Irene
The name Irene means "peace" in Greek.
Mildred
383 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1917) named Mildred
The name Mildred means "gentle strength" or "mild strength".
Alice
374 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1917) named Alice
The name Alice is of German origin and means "noble" or "of noble birth". It is a popular name that has been used for centuries and has been the name of many notable fictional characters in literature and film.
Marie
365 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1917) named Marie
The name Marie is the French variant of Mary, which means "bitter" in Hebrew. It is a popular name among Christians and has been used for centuries. The name is often associated with purity, grace, and elegance.
Lucille
363 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1917) named Lucille
The name Lucille means "light" or "illumination" and is of French origin. It is a feminine name that has been in use since the 19th century.
Esther
304 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1917) named Esther
Esther is a feminine given name of Persian origin. Its meaning is uncertain, but it is believed to possibly mean "star" or "myrtle leaf". In the Bible, Esther was a queen of Persia who saved the Jewish people from genocide. The name has been popular among Jewish communities and has been used in various cultures around the world.
Virginia
304 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1917) named Virginia
The name Virginia is derived from the Latin word "Virgo" which means "maiden" or "virgin". It was a popular name in ancient Rome and was often given to girls who were born in the month of August. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century and is associated with purity, innocence, and virtue.
Elizabeth
293 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1917) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.
Bernice
291 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1917) named Bernice
The name Bernice means "she who brings victory" or "bringer of victory".
Marion
282 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1917) named Marion
The name Marion is a unisex name of French origin, meaning "bitter" or "rebellious".
Lorraine
277 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1917) named Lorraine
The name Lorraine is of French origin and is derived from the region of Lorraine in France. The meaning of the name is "from Lorraine" or "dweller of Lorraine".
Frances
268 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1917) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Eleanor
262 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1917) named Eleanor
The name Eleanor means "bright, shining one" or "compassionate" and is of Old French and Greek origin. It was originally derived from the name Aliénor, which was the Old French form of the name Helen.

Most popular baby boy names in Wisconsin in 1917

In Wisconsin, 1917, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, William, George, and Edward. Robert was the most popular name with 965 babies given that name, followed closely by John with 953 babies. William came in third place with 683 babies named that, while George and Edward rounded out the top five with 551 and 510 babies respectively.

Robert

965 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1917) named Robert
The name Robert means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobility.
John

953 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1917) named John
The name John is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a very common name and has been used for centuries. People with this name are often known for their kindness and generosity.
William

683 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1917) named William
The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.
George

551 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1917) named George
The name George means "farmer" or "earthworker" and is of Greek origin. It was a popular name among early Christians, as Saint George is the patron saint of England and a martyr in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches. The name has been used by many notable figures throughout history, including several kings of England.
Edward

510 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1917) named Edward
The name Edward means "wealthy guardian" or "rich guard" and is of Old English origin. It is derived from the words "ead" meaning "wealth, fortune" and "weard" meaning "guardian, protector".
Joseph
499 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1917) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Harold
479 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1917) named Harold
The name Harold is of Old English origin and means "ruler of the army". It was a popular name among the Anglo-Saxons and was borne by several kings of England.
Raymond
428 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1917) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
James
393 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1917) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Donald
380 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1917) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Frank
368 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1917) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Walter
357 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1917) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Charles
329 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1917) named Charles
The name Charles means "free man" or "strong man" and is of Germanic origin. It was a popular name among European royalty and has been commonly used throughout history.
Arthur
292 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1917) named Arthur
The name Arthur is of Celtic origin and means "bear". It was a popular name among the kings and nobles of medieval England, and has since become a classic name that is still in use today.
Clarence
270 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1917) named Clarence
The name Clarence means "bright" or "clear" and is of Latin origin. It was originally a surname before becoming a given name.
Richard
256 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1917) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Kenneth
255 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1917) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Henry
253 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1917) named Henry
The name Henry means "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name for centuries.
Carl
245 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1917) named Carl
The name Carl is of Germanic origin and means "man" or "free man". It is a variant of the name Charles and has been a popular name throughout history.
Leonard
217 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1917) named Leonard
The name Leonard is derived from the Germanic name Leonhard, which means "brave lion" or "lion-hearted." It is a compound of two words, "leo" meaning lion and "hard" meaning brave or hardy. The name has been in use since the Middle Ages and has been popular in English-speaking countries for centuries.